A wireless communication system has an access point managing a first wireless local area network. To transmit the frame, the access point: obtains data to be transmitted in multicast mode; obtains data to be transmitted in unicast mode; and constructs a physical-layer header including: in a common signalling field, an identification of each channel resource intended to be used for making the frame transmission, whether this be for the data to be transmitted in unicast mode or in multicast mode; and, in each field in a series of specific signalling fields, information representing an association between a channel resource identifier used and a unique identifier of the destination concerned or group of destinations concerned. Thus each destination can determine each channel resource to listen to in order to receive the data that are addressed to it, whether this be in unicast mode or in multicast mode.
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1. A method for transmission of a frame by an access point of a wireless local area network, the access point having implemented a phase of association with a plurality of wireless terminals, the method comprising: receiving, by the access point, during the association phase, from each terminal of the plurality of wireless terminals, an information indicating whether each terminal of the plurality of wireless terminals are compatible with transmissions in a multicast mode; in order to transmit the frame, the method further comprising, by the access point: obtaining data to be transmitted in the multicast mode to a plurality of destination terminals from among each of the multicast compatible wireless terminals; obtaining data to be transmitted in a unicast mode to at least one respective destination terminal from among the wireless terminals which are not multicast compatible or do not wish to participate in multicast; constructing a physical-layer header including: in a common signalling field, an identification of each channel resource intended to be used for making the frame transmission thereby indicating whether the data is to be transmitted in unicast mode or whether the data will be transmitted in multicast mode; and in each field of a series of specific signalling fields, information representing an association between a channel resource identifier used and a unique identifier of a destination terminal concerned or of a group of destination terminals concerned, so that each destination terminal can determine each channel resource to listen to in order to receive the data that are addressed to each channel resource, whether in the unicast mode or in the multicast mode; wherein the destination terminal or the group of destination terminals are selected from the plurality of wireless terminals.
Wireless communication networks, specifically wireless local area networks (WLANs), face the challenge of efficiently transmitting data to multiple devices, some of which may not support or wish to receive multicast transmissions. This invention describes a method for an access point to manage frame transmission in such a scenario. During an association phase with wireless terminals, the access point gathers information from each terminal regarding its compatibility with multicast mode transmissions. To transmit a frame, the access point then obtains data intended for multicast transmission to compatible terminals and data for unicast transmission to terminals that are not multicast compatible or choose not to participate in multicast. A physical-layer header is constructed. This header includes a common signaling field that identifies the channel resources used for the transmission, indicating whether the data is unicast or multicast. Additionally, specific signaling fields within the header provide information associating channel resource identifiers with unique identifiers of destination terminals or groups of terminals. This allows each destination terminal to determine which channel resources to monitor for receiving its addressed data, whether it's unicast or multicast. The destination terminals are selected from the set of associated wireless terminals.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in order to make a transmission in multicast mode to of the destination terminals, the method comprises, previously performed by the access point: receiving an instruction to create a group from a list of the destination terminals; transmitting a group identifier to each of the destination terminals of said group; and wherein the series of specific signaling fields is such that, in order to indicate a transmission in multicast mode on a channel resource, a single specific field is defined for said channel resource in which the group identifier is indicated.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving multicast transmissions in networks where an access point communicates with multiple destination terminals. The problem addressed is the inefficiency and complexity of existing multicast signaling methods, which often require extensive signaling overhead to manage group communications. The method involves an access point receiving an instruction to create a group from a predefined list of destination terminals. The access point then transmits a unique group identifier to each terminal in the group. During multicast transmission, the access point uses a series of specific signaling fields to indicate that a transmission is in multicast mode on a designated channel resource. A single specific field within the signaling structure is used to convey the group identifier, simplifying the signaling process and reducing overhead. The method ensures that only terminals belonging to the specified group will process the multicast transmission, while others ignore it. This approach minimizes unnecessary signaling and improves efficiency in multicast communications. The use of a single field to indicate the group identifier streamlines the transmission process, making it more scalable and resource-efficient. The invention is particularly useful in environments where multiple terminals need to receive the same data simultaneously, such as in wireless local area networks (WLANs) or other shared communication systems.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the series of specific signalling fields is such that, in order to indicate a transmission in multicast mode on a channel resource, as many specific signalling fields for said channel resource are included in the physical-layer header as there are destinations of said transmission in multicast mode.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for signaling multicast transmissions in a physical-layer header. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and clear signaling of multicast transmissions to multiple destinations over a shared channel resource. Current methods may lack clarity or efficiency in indicating multicast destinations, leading to potential miscommunication or resource waste. The invention provides a method for signaling multicast transmissions by including a series of specific signaling fields in the physical-layer header. Each signaling field corresponds to a destination of the multicast transmission. For example, if a transmission is sent to three destinations in multicast mode, the physical-layer header will include three specific signaling fields for that channel resource. This ensures that each destination is explicitly indicated, reducing ambiguity and improving resource allocation. The method may also involve determining the number of destinations and dynamically adjusting the number of signaling fields accordingly. This approach enhances reliability and efficiency in multicast communications by ensuring that all intended recipients are properly signaled. The invention is particularly useful in systems where multiple devices share a channel resource and require clear, unambiguous signaling for multicast operations.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the physical-layer header indicates that the frame contains data transmitted in multicast mode.
A method for wireless communication involves transmitting data frames in a network, where each frame includes a physical-layer header and a payload. The physical-layer header contains information about the frame's structure and transmission mode. In this method, the physical-layer header is configured to indicate whether the frame contains data transmitted in multicast mode, where data is sent to multiple recipients simultaneously. This allows receiving devices to efficiently process multicast frames by recognizing the transmission mode from the header without needing additional decoding steps. The method ensures compatibility with existing wireless communication standards while improving efficiency in multicast data transmission. The physical-layer header may also include other control information, such as frame length, modulation scheme, or error correction details, to support reliable data delivery. By explicitly indicating multicast mode in the header, the method reduces processing overhead and enhances network performance in scenarios where multiple devices need to receive the same data. This approach is particularly useful in wireless networks where multicast transmissions are common, such as in broadcast services, group communications, or IoT applications. The method can be implemented in various wireless communication protocols, including Wi-Fi, cellular networks, or other radio access technologies.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein each specific signaling field indicates there exists at least one other specific signalling field, subsequent in the physical-layer header, that is associated with the same destination terminal or with a least one destination terminal in the same group of destination terminals.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically methods for efficiently transmitting signaling information in a physical-layer header to multiple destination terminals. The problem addressed is the need to reduce overhead in wireless transmissions by avoiding redundant signaling when multiple terminals share common control information. The method involves transmitting a physical-layer header containing multiple specific signaling fields, each associated with one or more destination terminals. Each signaling field indicates the presence of at least one subsequent signaling field in the header that shares the same destination terminal or belongs to the same group of terminals. This allows the receiver to identify and process only the relevant signaling fields, reducing unnecessary decoding and improving efficiency. The signaling fields may contain control information such as resource allocation, modulation schemes, or other parameters required for data reception. The method ensures that terminals can quickly determine whether subsequent signaling fields are relevant to them, minimizing processing overhead. By grouping signaling fields for terminals with common characteristics, the system avoids redundant transmissions, conserving bandwidth and improving overall throughput. This approach is particularly useful in multi-user communication scenarios where multiple terminals receive data simultaneously.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the access point cooperates with a device supplying virtual-reality data having an immersive image in which a plurality of users can immerse themselves by means of wireless terminals displaying respective regions of interest of said immersive image, and wherein the device supplying virtual-reality data requests the access point to transmit in the frame data corresponding to an overlap zone of said regions of interest in multicast mode and other parts of the data of said regions of interest in unicast mode.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems for delivering virtual-reality (VR) data to multiple users immersed in a shared immersive image. The problem addressed is efficiently transmitting VR data to wireless terminals displaying different regions of interest (ROIs) within the same immersive environment, while minimizing bandwidth usage and latency. The system includes an access point that cooperates with a VR data supply device. The VR data supply device generates an immersive image where multiple users, each using a wireless terminal, can view different ROIs of the image. To optimize data transmission, the VR data supply device instructs the access point to transmit data in two modes: multicast and unicast. Data corresponding to overlap zones—areas where multiple users' ROIs intersect—is transmitted in multicast mode to reduce redundancy. The remaining parts of the ROIs, which are unique to each user, are transmitted in unicast mode. This hybrid approach ensures efficient bandwidth utilization while maintaining low latency and high-quality VR experiences for all users. The access point dynamically adjusts transmission modes based on the changing ROIs of the users, ensuring seamless and synchronized VR content delivery.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the method comprises, by the device supplying virtual-reality data: calculating a cost function relating to the overlap zone; comparing the cost function calculated with a predefined threshold; requesting the access point to transmit the data relating to the overlap zone in multicast mode when the cost function calculated is below the predefined threshold; and requesting the access point to transmit the data relating to the overlap zone in unicast mode when the cost function calculated is below the predefined threshold.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically optimizing data transmission in virtual-reality (VR) environments where multiple devices share overlapping data zones. The problem addressed is inefficient bandwidth usage when transmitting VR data to multiple devices, particularly in scenarios where some data is shared across devices (overlap zones) while other data is device-specific. The method involves a device receiving VR data from an access point and determining whether to request multicast or unicast transmission for data in overlap zones. A cost function is calculated to evaluate the efficiency of transmitting the overlap zone data. This cost function considers factors such as bandwidth usage, latency, and device capabilities. The calculated cost function is then compared to a predefined threshold. If the cost function is below the threshold, indicating efficient transmission, the device requests the access point to transmit the overlap zone data in multicast mode, reducing bandwidth usage by sending a single stream to multiple devices. If the cost function is above the threshold, the device requests unicast mode, where the access point sends separate streams to each device, ensuring higher reliability or lower latency when needed. The method dynamically adjusts transmission mode based on real-time conditions to optimize network performance.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the cost function is expressed as follows: F = S 0 ∑ n = 1 N S n where N represents the quantity of regions of interest in question, S 0 represents the size of the overlap zone, and S n , ∀1≤n≤N, represents the size of the regions of interest indexed by n.
This invention relates to a method for optimizing the placement of regions of interest in an image or data set, particularly in applications such as medical imaging, computer vision, or automated analysis. The problem addressed is efficiently determining the optimal arrangement of multiple regions of interest (ROIs) to minimize overlap while maximizing coverage or other performance metrics. The method involves calculating a cost function to evaluate the arrangement of ROIs. The cost function is defined as F = S0 + Σ (n=1 to N) Sn, where N is the total number of ROIs, S0 is the size of the overlapping zone between ROIs, and Sn represents the size of each individual ROI indexed by n. By minimizing this cost function, the method ensures that the overlap between ROIs is minimized while maintaining the necessary coverage of the regions. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple ROIs must be analyzed simultaneously, such as in medical imaging where different anatomical structures must be examined without excessive overlap that could obscure critical details. The method may be applied in automated image analysis systems, where efficient ROI placement is essential for accurate and rapid processing. By optimizing the cost function, the system can dynamically adjust ROI positions to improve analysis accuracy and reduce computational overhead. This technique is adaptable to various imaging modalities and can be integrated into existing image processing pipelines.
9. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the device supplying virtual-reality data makes an alignment of an overlap zone on macroblock boundaries.
This invention relates to virtual-reality (VR) data processing, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently aligning overlapping regions between adjacent macroblocks in VR content. The method involves a device that supplies VR data, which includes a step of aligning an overlap zone between macroblocks along their boundaries. This alignment ensures seamless transitions and reduces visual artifacts in the rendered VR content. The macroblocks are discrete units of image data, and the overlap zone is a region where adjacent macroblocks intersect. By precisely aligning this zone along macroblock boundaries, the method minimizes distortion and improves the overall quality of the VR experience. The alignment process may involve adjusting the position or orientation of the overlap zone to match the boundaries of the macroblocks, ensuring consistency across the VR scene. This technique is particularly useful in applications where high-resolution VR content is streamed or processed in real-time, as it optimizes data handling and rendering efficiency. The method may be integrated into VR headsets, streaming servers, or other devices that generate or transmit VR data. The alignment of the overlap zone helps maintain visual coherence, especially in dynamic VR environments where rapid scene changes occur. This approach enhances the user's immersion by reducing perceptible seams or discontinuities between macroblocks.
10. The method according to claim 6 , wherein, when a first set of wireless terminals has regions of interest that overlap and define a first overlap zone and a second set of wireless terminals has regions of interest that overlap with each other but which do not overlap with the regions of interest in the first set, the device supplying virtual-reality data determines the overlap zone and calculates the cost function independently for each of the first and second sets of wireless terminals.
This invention relates to virtual-reality data distribution in wireless networks, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently managing data transmission to multiple wireless terminals with overlapping regions of interest. In a virtual-reality environment, multiple wireless terminals may have overlapping regions of interest, creating zones where data must be synchronized or prioritized. The invention improves data distribution by dynamically identifying these overlap zones and optimizing transmission strategies. The method involves detecting a first set of wireless terminals whose regions of interest overlap, forming a first overlap zone, and a second set of wireless terminals whose regions of interest overlap but do not intersect with the first set. The system then calculates a cost function separately for each set to determine the most efficient data transmission strategy. This ensures that data is distributed in a way that minimizes redundancy and maximizes quality of service for all terminals. The cost function may consider factors such as network load, terminal capabilities, and data priority to optimize performance. By independently processing each set, the system avoids unnecessary computations and ensures that resources are allocated effectively. This approach enhances real-time performance and reduces latency in virtual-reality applications.
11. The method according to claim 6 , wherein, when a first set of wireless terminals has regions of interest that overlap and define an overlap zone and a second set of wireless terminals has regions of interest that do not overlap with each other and which also do not overlap with the regions of interest of the first set, the device supplying virtual-reality data determines the overlap zone and calculates the cost function only for the first set of wireless terminals, and requests the access point to transmit, in unicast mode, the data of the region of interest of each wireless terminal in the second set.
This invention relates to optimizing data transmission in virtual-reality (VR) systems where multiple wireless terminals request different regions of interest (ROI) from a VR data source. The problem addressed is efficiently managing data delivery when some terminals have overlapping ROIs while others have non-overlapping ROIs, reducing unnecessary computations and bandwidth usage. The system includes a device that supplies VR data and an access point that transmits the data to wireless terminals. When a first group of terminals has overlapping ROIs defining an overlap zone, the device calculates a cost function only for this group to determine the most efficient data transmission strategy. For a second group of terminals with non-overlapping ROIs that do not intersect with the first group's ROIs, the device requests the access point to transmit the data for each terminal's ROI in unicast mode, ensuring each terminal receives only its specific data without redundant processing. This approach minimizes computational overhead by focusing cost function calculations on terminals with overlapping ROIs while ensuring efficient unicast transmission for terminals with isolated ROIs, optimizing both bandwidth and processing resources in VR data delivery systems.
12. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the device supplying virtual-reality data performs: taking the regions of interest two by two and determining any overlap zone thereof; determining a sorted list of the regions of interest according to the overlap zones determined, so that a first two elements of the list have the largest overlap zone, and the regions of interest are next sorted by successively adding to the list the region of interest that has the largest overlap zone with the last element in the list; performing at least one iteration of: determining any overlap zone common to all the regions of interest present in the list; calculating a cost function for the common overlap zone determined and, if no common overlap zone has been able to be determined, considering the cost function as being above a predefined threshold; deciding that a transmission in multicast mode is possible for the data of the common overlap zone when the cost function is below the predefined threshold; excluding from the list the region of interest iterated in the last position when the cost function is above or equal to the predefined threshold and performing a new iteration.
This invention relates to optimizing data transmission in virtual-reality (VR) systems by efficiently managing regions of interest (ROIs) to determine when multicast transmission is feasible. The problem addressed is reducing bandwidth usage and computational overhead in VR environments where multiple users may have overlapping fields of view, requiring synchronized data delivery. The method involves analyzing ROIs to identify overlapping zones between them. First, ROIs are compared pairwise to determine overlap zones, then sorted into a list where the first two entries have the largest overlap, and subsequent entries are added based on the largest overlap with the last entry in the list. The system then iteratively evaluates the common overlap zone among all ROIs in the list. A cost function is calculated for this common zone, and if no common zone exists, the cost is considered above a predefined threshold. If the cost is below the threshold, multicast transmission is deemed possible for the common zone. If the cost exceeds the threshold, the last ROI in the list is removed, and the process repeats until a feasible multicast condition is met or all ROIs are exhausted. This approach ensures efficient data distribution by dynamically adjusting transmission modes based on overlap analysis.
13. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the device supplying virtual-reality data is a residential gateway.
A residential gateway device provides virtual-reality (VR) data to a user. The gateway acts as an intermediary between a VR system and external networks, managing data transmission, processing, and delivery. It may include hardware and software components to generate, encode, or optimize VR content for efficient delivery. The gateway ensures low-latency, high-quality VR experiences by handling tasks such as data compression, bandwidth management, and synchronization. It may also integrate with other home networking devices to enhance performance. The system addresses challenges in delivering immersive VR content by leveraging the gateway's local processing capabilities, reducing reliance on external servers and minimizing latency. This approach improves responsiveness and reduces network congestion, enabling seamless VR experiences in residential environments. The gateway may further support multiple VR devices simultaneously, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring consistent performance across different applications.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the frame is transmitted by the access point in accordance with an OFDMA technique.
A method for wireless communication involves transmitting data frames from an access point to multiple receiving devices using orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). OFDMA is a multi-user version of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), where different subcarriers are allocated to different users to enable simultaneous data transmission. The access point divides the available frequency spectrum into multiple subcarriers and assigns specific subcarriers to different devices, allowing multiple devices to receive data concurrently without interference. This technique improves spectral efficiency and reduces latency by enabling parallel data transmission to multiple users. The method is particularly useful in dense wireless networks where multiple devices need to communicate with a central access point, such as in Wi-Fi or cellular networks. By using OFDMA, the access point can dynamically allocate subcarriers based on channel conditions and user demand, optimizing overall network performance. The method may also include error correction, modulation schemes, and resource allocation techniques to enhance reliability and throughput. The use of OFDMA in this method addresses the challenge of efficiently managing limited spectrum resources while supporting multiple users in a wireless environment.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless local area network is of the Wi-Fi type.
A method for optimizing wireless communication involves a system that monitors network conditions and dynamically adjusts transmission parameters to improve performance. The system detects interference, signal degradation, or congestion in a wireless local area network (WLAN) and automatically modifies settings such as channel selection, transmit power, or data rates to mitigate these issues. This adaptive approach ensures reliable connectivity and efficient bandwidth utilization. In one implementation, the WLAN is specifically a Wi-Fi network, leveraging standard protocols to enhance stability and throughput. The method may also include analyzing historical data to predict network behavior and preemptively adjust configurations. By continuously evaluating environmental factors like neighboring networks or physical obstructions, the system maintains optimal performance without manual intervention. This solution addresses challenges in maintaining consistent wireless connectivity in environments with varying interference levels or high device density. The adaptive adjustments are designed to comply with regulatory standards while maximizing efficiency. The method can be applied in home, enterprise, or public Wi-Fi deployments to improve user experience and network reliability.
16. A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program comprising instructions for implementing, by a processor, when said program is read and executed by said processor, the method according to claim 1 .
This invention relates to computer-implemented methods for optimizing data processing in distributed systems. The problem addressed is the inefficiency in handling large-scale data operations, particularly in systems where data is distributed across multiple nodes. Traditional approaches often suffer from bottlenecks, high latency, or excessive resource consumption when processing complex queries or transformations. The invention provides a method for optimizing data processing by dynamically partitioning and distributing workloads across a network of computing nodes. The method includes analyzing the structure and dependencies of a data processing task to determine optimal partitioning strategies. It then assigns sub-tasks to different nodes based on factors such as node availability, network latency, and computational capacity. The system monitors the execution of these sub-tasks in real-time, adjusting resource allocation as needed to balance load and minimize processing time. Additionally, the method includes mechanisms for fault tolerance, ensuring that failed tasks are automatically reallocated to other nodes without disrupting the overall workflow. The invention also includes techniques for optimizing data transfer between nodes, reducing redundant computations, and caching intermediate results to improve efficiency. By dynamically adapting to changing system conditions, the method ensures high performance and scalability in distributed data processing environments. The solution is particularly useful in big data analytics, cloud computing, and large-scale database management systems.
17. An access point of a wireless local area network, the access point being adapted to perform a frame transmission in said wireless local area network, the access point having implemented a phase of association with a plurality or wireless terminals, the access point comprising: electronic circuitry configured for receiving, during the association phase, from each terminal of the plurality of wireless terminals, an information indicating whether each terminal of the plurality of wireless terminals are compatible with transmissions in a multicast mode; and wherein, to transmit the frame, the electronic circuitry is further configured for: obtaining data to be transmitted in the multicast mode to a plurality of destination terminals from among each of the multicast compatible wireless terminals; obtaining data to be transmitted in a unicast mode to at least one respective destination terminal from among the wireless terminals which are not multicast compatible or do not wish to participate in multicast; constructing a physical-layer header including: in a common signalling field, an identification of each channel resource intended to be used for making the frame transmission thereby indicating whether the data is to be transmitted in unicast mode or whether the data will be transmitted in multicast mode; and in each field of a series of specific signalling fields, information representing an association between a channel resource identifier used and a unique identifier of a destination terminal concerned or of a group of destination terminals concerned, so that each destination terminal can determine each channel resource to listen to in order to receive the data that are addressed to each channel resource, whether in the unicast mode or in the multicast mode; wherein the destination terminal or the group of destination terminals are selected from the plurality of wireless terminals.
This invention relates to wireless local area networks (WLANs) and addresses the challenge of efficiently managing frame transmissions to both multicast-compatible and non-compatible terminals during an association phase. The access point includes electronic circuitry that receives compatibility information from each terminal, indicating whether they support multicast transmissions. For frame transmission, the circuitry obtains multicast data for compatible terminals and unicast data for non-compatible or opt-out terminals. A physical-layer header is constructed with a common signaling field identifying channel resources and transmission modes (unicast or multicast). Specific signaling fields associate channel resource identifiers with unique terminal or group identifiers, allowing each destination terminal to determine the correct channel for receiving its data. This approach optimizes bandwidth usage by dynamically adapting transmission modes based on terminal capabilities and preferences, ensuring efficient data delivery in mixed-compatibility networks.
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December 17, 2018
February 1, 2022
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